Kuala Lumpur Weather

Climate and weather in KL

The weather in Kuala Lumpur stays hot and humid most months, meaning Malaysia’s capital city is ideal for visits all year round. As this is a tropical climate, KL does experience occasional rainfall, the intensity of which varies throughout the year.

Shielded by mountainous valleys in several directions, Kuala Lumpur’s weather is relatively cooler than most other places in Malaysia, with temperatures that fluctuate between 29°C - 35°C during the day, and 26°C - 29°C at night. It may get a little chilly after heavy rain, but the city is one of the least affected states by monsoon winds coming from the east or west. Plus you’ll love the fact that bad climate will not affect most explorations of the city, with covered walkways, lots of entertainment complexes and public transport providing shelter from the worst of Kuala Lumpur weather.

Best Time to Visit Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur’s weather does go through random floods and heat waves, so it is a good idea for visitors to know the best time to visit the city. Peninsular Malaysia, where KL is located, is affected by two major monsoon seasons yearly and during this time certain areas face some short rainfall and thunderstorms.

Between October and January the eastern side of the peninsula gets hit the hardest, and while a mountain range which cuts through the centre of the country provides some light shield to the eastern monsoon, KL still experiences showers. Meanwhile, from March to April the western monsoon hits the city directly, bringing the most rain to the city. For settled weather, May to July is the best time to visit KL as the entire country goes through a dry spell, resulting in blue skies and steamy temperatures.

What to Wear in Kuala Lumpur

The weather in Kuala Lumpur usually sees sunny skies from morning to afternoon, with occasional rainfall and thunderstorms happening in the late evening. As a result, the air’s humidity levels can rise to about 80%, making it very easy to sweat while you are out exploring the city.

We recommend you throw on light clothing to stay cool – T-shirts and Bermuda shorts are most suitable for Kuala Lumpur weather, while a cap or sunglasses will provide some shield from direct sunlight. It’s also a good idea to bring along an umbrella while exploring the city, in case of an unexpected downpour, but since the city is home to so many air conditioned malls, it is easy to duck inside to cool off or avoid getting wet.

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